Facility Information
Nestled in Newnan, Georgia, at 92 Farmer St., the Coweta County African American Heritage Museum & Research Center stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of African American history in the region. Housed in a meticulously restored shotgun-style house, which was once a slave cabin, this museum is more than just a collection of artifacts; it's a bridge to the past. Adjacent to the museum lies the Farmer Street Cemetery, potentially the South's largest known slave cemetery.
The museum proudly serves as a beacon for those seeking knowledge, offering a vast repository of African-American artifacts and records. Its significance doesn’t end there; it is also a pivotal center for genealogical exploration, specifically dedicated to African-American ancestry. A great majority of local visitors find traces of their ancestors through the center’s extensive collection, which includes records from the Census, Coweta's Marriage Book, and the 1945 School Census, among others.
The heart of Newnan's prosperity in the 1800s, largely fueled by the cotton industry and notable home ownership, saw significant contributions from the African American community. The museum diligently endeavors to spotlight these contributions, ensuring they remain an indelible part of Newnan's history narrative.
One of the museum’s prized possessions is the lone grave site marker in the Farmer Street Cemetery. This marker, belonging to Charlie Burch, a 3-month-old son of possible slaves from 1835, offers a poignant reminder of the lives lived and the stories yet to be told.
Operated by the passionate African American Aliance (AAA), a nonprofit organization of dedicated part-timers and volunteers, the museum’s mission is apparent: to protect, preserve, and present the cultural, historical, and architectural African American heritage of Coweta County, Georgia. Always eager to grow their community and mission, the facility welcomes all interested individuals to volunteer and be part of this monumental effort.
Every visitor, every artifact, every story told and discovered here isn't just history—it's a legacy, and the Coweta County African American Heritage Museum & Research Center is its steward.
